ABBOTT MOUNTAIN
Scott County - Ouachita National Forest
1934: Constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps.
Removed
DESIGNATION - ABBOTT MOUNTAIN LOOKOUT TOWER
PID - EJ2056
STATE/COUNTY- AR/SCOTT
COUNTRY - US
USGS QUAD - HARVEY (1985)
STATION DESCRIPTION
DESCRIBED BY COAST AND GEODETIC SURVEY 1956 (LSB)
THE LOOKOUT TOWER IS LOCATED ABOUT 16 MILES SOUTHEAST OF
WALDRON AND ABOUT 7 MILES EAST OF PARKS. IT IS ON THE SUMMIT
OF A CONICAL PEAK KNOWN AS ABBOTT MOUNTAIN. IT IS A 4-LEGGED
STEEL STRUCTURE WITH A CABIN AT THE TOP, AND IS APPROXIMATELY
50 FEET IN HEIGHT.
THE CENTER OF THE TOWER AT GROUND LEVEL (WHICH WAS THE POINT
TRAVERSED TO) IS 39.6 FEET (12.07 METERS) SOUTH-SOUTHWEST
OF TRIANGULATION STATION ABBOTT.
"Abbott Mountain Tower – located in Scott County, AR. This was a steel tower constructed in 1942 and standing 33’ high with a 7’ x 7’ metal cab. According to the Oden Ranger District’s Improvement Record dating to 1947, the tower was outfitted with an Osborn fire finder mounted on a wooden cabinet, telephone type desk, and a flag pole (pipe style). This tower was most likely the second tower to stand on that location as the tower man’s cabin located next to it was constructed in 1937. Besides the one room cabin, the tower site contained a pit type latrine, a two-room tool and wood shed, garbage pit with a 6’ x 6’ wooden cover, and a 135’ deep well. It seems the well proved to be a poor water source with no water in the summer and very little water in the winter. Water was most likely obtained from a spring situated 900’ from the cabin.
10
Documentation shows that the tower was no longer being used by the Oden Ranger District in 1958; however, the Cold Springs Ranger District manned it during periods of high danger and low visibility according to a letter David Rosdahl wrote on January 6, 1959 to the forest supervisor. Apparently this tower had a ladder and not steps and was viewed as dangerous. The ranger noted that the part-time tower man (a woman) had a very difficult time getting into the tower. By 1970 it was listed as surplus. The tower has been removed." (Fire Towers in the National Forests in Arkansas and Oklahoma)
10
Documentation shows that the tower was no longer being used by the Oden Ranger District in 1958; however, the Cold Springs Ranger District manned it during periods of high danger and low visibility according to a letter David Rosdahl wrote on January 6, 1959 to the forest supervisor. Apparently this tower had a ladder and not steps and was viewed as dangerous. The ranger noted that the part-time tower man (a woman) had a very difficult time getting into the tower. By 1970 it was listed as surplus. The tower has been removed." (Fire Towers in the National Forests in Arkansas and Oklahoma)